Thursday, September 29, 2016

Meems' Hit Parade

As I mentioned in my last post, I have a Spotify playlist on my phone titled "Mom's Favorites." To keep her brain juicy and active, I will from time to time ask her to name great songs that she remembers. Sometimes she draws a blank. Other times, a random tune pops into her head, and I immediately add it to the list.

This song reminds me of the story she tells about dating a Filipino after the war. I call him Phil Ipino. He played in a dance band. Her daddy told her that she could marry Phil, but that he (her dad) would have to get a 2nd job to support them. She has told this story all of my life. The main character became a Filipino a couple of years ago. Until then, he was a regular old guy. Hmmm. She dated a Filipino right after WWII in Nachitodoches, TX. I'll bet.

I downloaded the Glenn Miller version with the long big band intro. My favorite part - "No-No-No-No!" I had never really listened to the lyrics before. Now that I've heard the song about 27 times, I have fallen in love with it. It's a song about being separated by war and the fear that your guy will fall in love with some cute, blonde German chick. "You're on your own where there is no phone, and I can't keep tabs on you!" I wonder what present-day lyrics would read. I doubt that there would be mention of sitting under any kind of fruit tree. "No-No-No-No!"

8. Mi Mancherai (randomly picked) - Andrea Bocelli

She wanted a song by that blind guy with the pretty voice.

7. Edelweiss (From The Sound of Music)I added this one. She likes show tunes. I love Christopher Plummer.

6. I Could Have Danced All Night (From My Fair Lady)

I thought that she would recognize it. She didn't. She kept asking me if it was a song from Wicked.

5. Popular (From Wicked)

She is a huge fan of Wicked. She thinks that this song is HEEEE-larious. I sing "But, not quite as popular as MEEEEEEEEMS!" at the end. She likes that.

4. My Strongest Suit (From Aida)

She and I saw Elton John's Aida on Broadway years ago. This song has very funny, clever lyrics. Again, she thinks this song is HEEEE-larious.

Now We're Getting to the Good Stuff...

3. Always - Deanna DurbinMeems sang this at a friend's wedding. That's one life event that is forever forged in her memory.2. When the Lights Go On Again - Vera Lynn"When the lights go on again all over the world, and the boys are home again all over the world..." Meems sang this at her high school graduation in 1940. Her big brother, Jimmy, was away fighting that war. According to Mom, "ALL the boys were gone." One of her teachers told her that her voice sounded just like Deanna Durbin's which would by today's standards would have been Barbra Streisand or Celine Dion. Another forged memory.

Here it is, folks!

Meems' numero uno (for no apparent reason) request!

1. 76 Six Trombones (From The Music Man)

I. Have. No. Idea. I didn't grow up hearing Mom belting out, "Double bell euphoniums and big bassoons! EACH BASSOON! Having his BIG FAT SAY!" But every single time, I get out my phone and ask her for requests from her playlist she murmurs, "76 Trombones." That is, until yesterday when I tried to authenticate this request by videoing her.

Actually, 76 Trombones digs down to a memory planted deeply within her cerebrum. My sister. "Kathy sure loved the silver trombone I bought her." My little blonde-headed sister with a smile that glinted silver with braces chose to play the trombone when she joined the band way back in Junior High. After a couple of years of playing with a rented trombone, Mom decided that Kathy was serious about tromboning. Our little mother saved up her school teacher salary and bought Kathy a silver trombone. They were both so proud of it. I hated that thing. Its belches echoed loudly throughout our tiny house.

However, I do wish I still had that trombone. I'd take it to Wedgewood South every afternoon and let Meems hold it in her lap. We'd listen to 76 Trombones, and she'd smile and smile.